Overview
Ferrari unveiled the 458 Italia at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the successor to the F430, and it set a new standard for mid-engined V8 cars. The name combines the engine’s 4.5-litre displacement and eight cylinders with a nod to Ferrari’s home country. Pininfarina’s design is sharp and modern, with a compact, muscular body, a pair of narrow, angular headlights and a clean, sculpted tail with triple-exit exhausts. Small details give it character, such as the aerodynamic flaps in the front grille that adjust to the car’s speed. It looks purposeful from every angle, and many people consider it one of the best-looking Ferraris of the 2010s.
Engine and Performance
Behind the seats sits a 4.5-litre V8 with direct injection, producing about 570 PS (419 kW) and 540 Nm of torque. It revs to a lofty 9,000 rpm, which was a rare thing in a road car even then, and it sounds spectacular, with a hard, rising howl near the top of the range. There’s no manual option. Power goes through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that shifts almost instantly. The 458 Italia reaches 100 km/h in about 3.4 seconds and tops out at roughly 325 km/h (202 mph), which put it very close to the supercars of the previous generation.
Chassis and Handling
The 458 uses an aluminium space-frame and body, with a lower weight and a stiffer structure than the F430. Ferrari paid close attention to the details, so the car gets an electronic differential, F1-Trac traction control, magnetorheological dampers and a steering wheel-mounted manettino dial. The steering is quick and direct, and the car responds instantly to inputs while remaining stable at very high speeds. It feels light on its feet and very precise, and it’s easy to drive fast, even though it asks for a little respect when pushed to the limit.
Interior and Comfort
The cabin is a big change from earlier Ferraris. Almost everything sits on the steering wheel, including the start button, indicators and manettino, and the layout is clean and driver-focused, with twin gauges flanking a central rev counter. The seats are supportive, the quality of the leather and trim is high, and there’s a usable front luggage space. It’s more comfortable than it looks on a long trip, though some people disliked the unconventional switchgear. Two other body styles followed: the 458 Spider, with a folding aluminium hardtop, and the 458 Speciale, a lighter, sharper version with around 605 PS.
Production and Legacy
Production of the 458 Italia ran from 2009 to 2015, and it was followed by the turbocharged 488 GTB. Along with the Spider and the Speciale, it sold in large numbers and proved a major success for Ferrari. Today the 458 is often remembered as the last mid-engined V8 Ferrari with a naturally aspirated engine, and that makes it especially sought after, with the Speciale and Speciale A in particular commanding high prices.
